ISLINGTON is set to have its fourth top cop in 12 months when a new borough commander takes over later this year.

Detective Chief Superintendent Iain Raphael is to leave the borough later this month after eight months in charge. He has been selected for a place on a strategic command course, which can set the pathway to more senior roles in the Met.

His permanent replacement, Chief Superintendent Raj Kohli, will take over in early March to lead the Camden and Islington Borough Command Unit (BCU). An interim officer is to be appointed in the coming weeks.

Last January and after 12 months leading both policing boroughs when they were merged, DCS Catherine Roper also left to take up an intensive training course. She is now a commander in the higher ranks of the Met.

Superintendent Nick Davies took over on a temporary basis until April and was replaced by DCS Raphael.

Member of the London Assembly’s crime committee Sian Berry said it was a “blow” to see another reshuffle. She added: “There is a lot of concern about the lack of police officers on the beat but this constant shuffling in senior posts seems to suggest London is suffering a shortage at the top level too.”

CS Kohli tweeted about his appointment: “Delighted & honoured to be appointed BCU Commander for Camden/Islington (start date early 2019). Am looking forward to working with colleagues/partners/public in continuing to make this the best place in London to live, play and work.”

CS Kohli joined the Met in 1992 and has served in a number of roles, including to help deliver policing at the London Olympics in 2012 and lead the Hounslow policing borough.

While a superintendent in neighbouring Camden, he was the Met’s public face of the investigation into the circumstances around the death of musician Amy Winehouse.

He is the highest ranking Sikh officer in the force and his brothers are the comedians Hardeep Singh Kohli and Sanjeev Kohli.